The goal of the cleanup was to raise awareness that cigarette butts are litter. It is a misconception by many smokers that the butts are paper or cotton when really they contain cellulose acetate (a form of plastic) and can take up to 5 years to break down. While breaking down, they can leach several toxic chemicals into our land and water including arsenic.

While we would never condone smoking, we recognize it’s a personal choice. We simply ask smokers to dispose of their butts safely and properly in a waste receptacle. Throwing cigarette butts on the ground is littering.

In addition to raising awareness, Beaches Go Green & First Coast Surfrider plan to bring the collected butts to local cities with a plan to cut down on cigarette butt pollution. After the butts are used for awareness, they will be sent off to TerraCycle to be recycled.

We are presenting FREE viewing of "BLUE" to the beach community sponsored by local business partners. We will host a resource panel to answer questions and discuss related topics before and after the film. Eye-opening and inspiring.

Deck the Chairs

Volunteers needed to help build & maintain children's display and support multi-events throughout seasonal display. For general volunteers or to sign up for a specific time slot, click blue “Volunteer Here” box.

The mission of Deck the Chairs is promote the arts and foster community pride and involvement through a creative display of public art featuring lighted iconic lifeguard chairs. BGG will be sponsoring the “children’s area” with a fun, interactive, pro-ocean, holiday display using recycled materials.

The Donna Breast Cancer Marathon

Friday, February 8, 2019 - Sunday, February 10, 2019

Neptune Beach, FL

Volunteers needed to help with event-day recycling, handing out "JUST Water" to race finishers, and BGG tent/education.

The Donna Breast Cancer Marathon supports the mission of the Donna Foundation which is to provide financial assistance and support to those living with breast cancer and fund ground breaking breast cancer research. Beaches Go Green is an official sponsor of the 2019 Donna Breast Cancer Marathon. We will be sponsoring, with JUST water, 10K JUST Water branded water cartons as an awareness symbol over single-use plastic. Just Water containers are 100% recyclable and ethically sourced in Glenn Falls, NY. For more information on Just Water products – please see http://www.justwater.com/

Movies That Matter - "A Plastic Ocean"

Beaches Go Green & US Green Building Council welcomed about 120 guests at 200 1st street courtyard in Neptune Beach for a viewing of the documentary A PLASTIC OCEAN! It was a great success and many eyes were opened to the dangers of single-use plastic in our environment. We will be showing the documentary BLUE for our next MOVIES THAT MATTER on Sunday, February 24, 2019.

Beaches Town Center Fall Festival

Saturday October 20, 2018
10AM - 12:30PM

BGG handed out educational info and candy to families at the fall festival and costume contest! It was a HOT day for a Fall Festival but fun was had by all. The kids got lots of treats and adults were treated to their adorable costumes!

Neptune Beach Community Party

Friday October 19, 2018
Jarboe Park
5PM - 8PM

The City of Neptune Beach held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Neptune House, a community center in Jarboe Park available for rent. Approximately 400 people attended. Beaches Go Green volunteers staffed our tent and the Water Monster, which saves 1000 single-use plastic water bottles.

BGG Informational Meeting

Meeting Summary: Huge THANK YOU to Atlantic Beach Urban Farms for our first BGG mtg and tour of Atlantic Beach Urban Farms. We had 31 people attend the meeting and tour where we covered the background of BGG, past events and future events. We discussed the opportunities for volunteers to join committees and become committee chairs. We also had an open discussion about “Recycling Right.”

2018 NORTH BEACH KICKOFF TO GOLF

Beaches Go Green had a huge presence at this event and made a huge dent in the waste produced. The entire beverage area was run and staffed by Beaches Go Green volunteers with a strong presence from ERC! The Beaches Go Green tent was set up near the Water Monster in the beverage area so that we could educate people on recycling, the new Water Monster water refilling station and using less waste overall.

GREEN IMPACT: Beaches Town Center Agency/Beaches Go Green sponsored a Water Monster portable water filling station. We went through approximately 60 gallons of water from the Water Monster replacing approximately 450 plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottle were not sold at the event this year. The event also offered reusable cups via two options: 1) 12oz stainless SIC cups available through the VIP package 2) plastic frosted reusable cups. Guests were asked to use the same cup for the duration of the event. We collected the plastic frosted cups. They will be clean, sanitized and used at future events. The City of Atlantic Beach provided waste and recycling services for the event.

20th ANNUAL SISTERS OF THE SEA SURF CLASSIC

Saturday September 15, 2018
Jacksonville Beach Pier

8AM - 5PM

What an amazing day in the sun. Beaches Go Green met so many people at the surf contest. We shared our vision, education and plans for future events. We also provided buckets to support the International Coastal Cleanup with was the same day.

GREEN IMPACT: BGG provided 30+ gallons of water for refillable bottles at the event and recyclable paper cups as needed. We also provided event day recycling in conjunction with Advanced Disposal. Sisters of the Sea replaced their plastic water bottles for volunteers with JUST Water water 100% recyclable paper cartons.

BEACH CLEANUP

Our first Beach/Park cleanup was a great success. We had approximately 250 volunteers that cleaned up the beaches and parks for Atlantic & Neptune Beaches. We collected the waste and sorted between trash, recycle and cigarette butts. We gave out prizes for strangest items collected off the beach (tampon, hairbrush, condom) AND for most cigarette butts collected (130 & 122).

GREEN LION FESTIVAL

Wednesday August 1, 2018

We made a BIG splash at our first ever event. We had an amazing turnout of volunteers – adults and students. We began talking to festival guests about Beaches Go Green. Unfortunately, the Green Lion Festival ended early due to a severe thunderstorm and flash flood. We all got soaked as we scrambled to pack up but we all bonded in the rain 😊

REPUBLIC SERVICES RECYCLE PLANT TOUR

Beaches Go Green hosted a private recycle plant tour at the republic Services Recycling Center on Imeson Rd. It was very educational. Beaches Go Green, City of Atlantic Beach and Beaches Town Center Agency were all represented at the tour.